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WIKIPEDIA (Counterfeit) : To counterfeit means to imitate something authentic, with the intent to steal, destroy, or replace the original, for use in illegal transactions, or otherwise to deceive individuals into believing that the fake is of equal or greater value than the real thing.

It stores the technical and statistical data on counterfeit banknotes and coins in a central database, and disseminates the relevant technical and statistical information to all those involved in combating counterfeiting.

As far as counterfeit euro banknotes are concerned, around 531 000 notes were withdrawn from circulation in 2012, according to figures from the European Central Bank which is in charge of protecting banknotes against counterfeiting.

Does it have any data concerning the number of counterfeit banknotes which have been printed or identified on the Greek market or withdrawn from circulation there and the rank occupied by Greece as far as the circulation and counterfeiting of banknotes is concerned compared to other eurozone countries?

All three authorities responsible for the protection of the euro banknotes and coins against counterfeiting (the national central office and national analysis centres for counterfeit banknotes and coins) are situated within law enforcement.

The number of counterfeit banknotes and coins that have been detected is very low compared with the numbers in circulation, and the European Commission emphasises that the number of counterfeit US-dollar banknotes is much higher.

The European Central Bank (ECB) performs a technical analysis of counterfeit euro banknotes of a new type at the Counterfeit Analysis Centre located on the premises of the ECB, stores the technical and statistical data on counterfeit banknotes and coins in a central database, also located at the ECB, and disseminates the relevant technical and statistical information to all those involved in combating counterfeiting.

However, this method is not entirely reliable, since this equipment is 'fooled' by genuine, but very worn, banknotes; the person bearing the notes is then put to a lot of trouble without being in any way to blame. For in Greece whenever a counterfeit banknote is found, the bearer is immediately taken to the police station where the procedure for in flagrante crimes is initiated, even if he was unaware that he was using counterfeit notes.

According to recent reports, there are even counterfeit 5 euro notes in circulation. In December 2002 alone two thousand counterfeit banknotes were seized, half the total number seized during the whole of last year.

It provides that Europol and the ECB will enter into an agreement by means of which Europol has access to the technical and statistical data held by the ECB relating to counterfeit banknotes and coins discovered both in Member States and in non-member countries.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting(1) establishes certain measures in connection with the collection and storage of data related to counterfeit banknotes and coins and with access to these data.

the European Central Bank (ECB) performs a technical analysis of counterfeit euro banknotes of a new type at the Counterfeit Analysis Centre located on the premises of the ECB, stores the technical and statistical data on counterfeit banknotes and coins in a central database, also located at the ECB, and disseminates the relevant technical and statistical information to all those involved in combating counterfeiting.

National analysis centres for counterfeit banknotes (NAC) and coins (CNAC) work closely with the ECB’s Counterfeit Analysis Centre (CAC) and Commission/OLAF’s European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC) to identify, analyse and withdraw counterfeit euro banknotes and coins from circulation, while measures have been taken to complete and achieve an appropriate level of harmonisation in criminal sanctions.

Another large difference is that it is very easy to try to make a counterfeit banknote with modern photocopying techniques which is the reason why the precise features of the banknotes to come will be widely published but only very briefly in advance of their introduction, so as to reduce the danger of counterfeiting and confusing a public which is not yet familiar with the notes.

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